Not completely sure what this thread is about but I thought I would add my 2 cents.
On Nov 19, 2015, at 11:45 AM, Ethan via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
1) what's so fascinating about retro tech? Is interest increasing?
History and memories of the old day I would guess.
The interest is increasing as far as I can tell, but mostly on the 8 bit micro side. The plastic computers of the 80s. There is a pretty large game hoarding scene and those people are going after anything and everything. Perhaps a speculative bubble of some sorts similar to housing, 90s era pinball machines and beanie babies. There are a number of Nintendo carts that sell for more than they cost new, and some games in the original boxes sell for $300+. Anyone looking on craigslist for retro computing stuff I'm sure has come across the fishing posts looking for the goods.
I think it is a silly question like asking... what is so interesting about history?
2) is retro tech practical or nostalgic?
Nostalgic
My interest is purely practical. If you don’t know why things are done a certain way one tends to re-invent the wheel.
3) does retro tech have any advantage over modern tech?
From an educational perspective easier to master the computers?
No different than classic cars.
Yes. Retro tech is more accessible because the thinking that makes the technology go is more accessible. Newer tech is buried under successive layers of abstraction that may even include digital rights management today. Those are my thoughts, Ben